15 September 2011

The Royal Australian Air Force First to Outfit F-18 Fighters with BOL IR Countermeasures

15 September 2011

BOL IR MJU-52 (photo : Alloy Surfaces)

Chester Township, PA--Alloy Surfaces Company, Inc. (ASC), a subsidiary of Chemring Group PLC, UK, announces the award of a $6.9 million contract from the Royal Australian Air Force to supply BOL IR and MJU-50/B Special Material Decoys (SMD) to support the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) operations worldwide. This is Australia's first large production order of BOL IR countermeasures to support the RAAF F-18s and the first time BOL IR is fielded on any F-18 platform. The BOL IR countermeasure is used on fighter aircraft to protect against infrared missile threats. The work will be performed at Alloy Surfaces production facility in Chester Township, Pa. and is expected to be completed by June 2012.

BOL on Australian F/A-18 Hornet (photo : Saab/RAAF)

ASC's President, Lawrence D'Andrea stated, "We are very pleased that the Royal Australian Air Force has selected the Special Material BOL IR countermeasure for their F-18 fighter aircraft. Alloy Surfaces is very proud to deliver the highest quality infrared decoys to protect the aircraft of our allies."